The West Hartford Public Schools prekindergarten implements the Creative Curriculum for Preschool. This play-based approach is grounded in research and early childhood theory. Teachers plan for and assess young children's development using the companion assessment tool called Teaching Strategies GOLD.

The prekindergarten program currently does not accept applications for children that are kindergarten age eligible. Applications are available online and in elementary school offices between January and March the school year prior. Enrollment is based on a lottery system. Tuition is assessed on a sliding scale based on gross yearly income and family size.

Teachers implement the Creative Curriculum® for Preschool. This curriculum is strongly aligned with the State of Connecticut Early Learning and Development standards. These standards are designed to assure that children engage in developmentally appropriate experiences that prepare them for a successful transition to kindergarten.

As a program accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), we have demonstrated that our program meets the high standards this association sets for its members and guarantees we are providing a high quality educational experience.

Students will be admitted into a pre-kindergarten class through a lottery process. Applications will be available on January 10, 2019. While early applications are appreciated, no preference will be given to those received in advance of the deadline of March 7, 2019 at 4:00 pm. All applications received on or before March 7, 2019, will be included in the lottery. Applications received after 4:00 pm on March 7, 2019 will be placed on a wait list.

Charter Oak International Academy has 5 pre-kindergarten classrooms accommodating 80 three and four-year-old students. Smith pre-kindergarten program has 1 classroom for 16 four-year-old students. Webster Hill has 1 classroom for 16 four-year-old students. Once all applications have been received and the lottery numbers assigned, we will select the first round of students to be accepted to the pre-kindergarten programs and place other students on the waiting list. Parents/guardians in the first round must commit by establishing residencyby March 28, 2019 and provide a $50.00 deposit, after which we will take students off the waiting list to fill any vacancies that occur.

Any family that resides in West Hartford may apply to either Charter Oak International Academy or Smith STEM School for PreKindergarten. Families who reside in the Webster Hill neighborhood may apply to Webster Hill pre-kindergarten and one magnet school.

Yes. All West Hartford residents may apply to Charter Oak International Academy or Smith STEM School. You must live in the Webster Hill neighborhood to apply for pre-kindergarten at Webster Hill School.

Tuition for the 2019-2020 school year will be between $3,492 and $4,284 based on income and family size.

Parents may apply for financial aid, based on their income. Proof of income will be required following acceptance into the program.

Once you have been accepted in the lottery, you will be asked to establish residency, submit a $50 deposit, and complete an income verification form. If you choose not to submit an income verification form, your tuition will be between $3,492 and $4,284 based on family size. Tuition will be due in 10 equal monthly payments with the first payment due on August 1, 2019 and the last payment due on May 1, 2020. Non-payment of tuition will result in dismissal of the student. These tuitions are consistent with State of CT regulations as of 1/1/2017 and are subject to change as State of CT regulations change.

This lottery is open only to students who are West Hartford residents. We do not require that you establish residency as part of the application process. However, should your student be selected in the lottery, you will have a deadline to register and prove residency with WHPS before the space can be assigned to your student.

Yes, after the lottery is held, you will receive a letter stating whether your child will be offered a spot in the program or will be placed on the waiting list. As students who are admitted decide not to attend or move out of West Hartford, vacancies will be filled from the waiting list.

In accordance with State of Connecticut regulations, all students entering West Hartford Public Schools pre-kindergarten through grade 12 must have an up-to-date physical examination and immunizations prior to attending school.

Pre-kindergarten children entering school at age 3 should have a physical updated yearly. Flu shots are required for all preschool aged students prior to January 1 each year. Up-to-date immunizations are required by the State Department of Education and the State Department of Health.

It is the policy of the West Hartford Public School pre-kindergarten program that children registered for school are strongly encouraged to become toilet trained before entering the program. For children who have not completed their training, a planned approach will be developed for both school and home, collaboratively implemented by the child’s family and the teacher to ensure consistency.

The pre-kindergarten program follows a school day schedule. School hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are 8:35 a.m. – 3:20 p.m. On Wednesdays, children are dismissed at 2:00 p.m. for teacher professional development. Pre-kindergarten programs follow the West Hartford Public School calendar. We do not have programming over school vacations or summer vacation.

According to state statutes, children, including pre-kindergarteners, who live within a mile of school, are not eligible for bus transportation and, therefore, walk to school if their families cannot provide their own transportation. If you are unsure as to whether your house is within the one-mile mark, contact the Office of Transportation at (860) 561-6647.

If you have questions about your child's development, or suspect that your child may have special education needs, please call the Intake Coordinator, Maureen Fenton, at the Early Learning Center at 860-233-8541 ext 3567.